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PGA files lawsuit against LIV Golf ‘to force discovery and testimony from rival tour’s Saudi financiers in pending antitrust case’
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The PGA’s ongoing legal battle with LIV Golf has sparked a new complaint that aims to force the rival tour’s Saudi backers to testify and release documents through discovery.
The most recent lawsuit filed by the PGA remains sealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, but according to ESPN, it contains 50 pieces of evidence and a proposed writ of execution.
As sources told ESPN, lawyers for the PGA hope a federal judge will force Yasir Othman Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia, to be impeached in the Tour’s other legal battle with LIV in a federal court in California. Spokespersons for the PGA Tour did not immediately respond to the request for comment.
As sources told ESPN, lawyers for the PGA hope a judge will force Yasir Othman Al-Rumayyan (right, next to LIV Golf CEO), Greg Norman, to force Saudi Arabia’s governor for the public investment fund to to be impeached in the Tour’s other legal battle with LIV in a California federal court. Spokespersons for the PGA Tour did not immediately respond to the request for comment
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan (pictured) has suspended more than 30 LIV golfers
LIV Golf and some of its players sued the PGA Tour in August for alleged antitrust violations following the Tour’s decision to ban all golfers signed to the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit.
The PGA contradicted in September, alleging that LIV Golf is using antitrust laws “like a bat” to undermine the Tour’s existing contracts with players. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has suspended more than 30 golfers since the conflict with LIV Golf began this year.
Several big names, including big winners like Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau, have been lured to LIV Golf with lucrative signing bonuses reportedly worth between $100 and $200 million. Phil Mickelson, who was originally involved in the class action lawsuit against the Tour but has since withdrawn his name, was reportedly paid $200 million to defect to LIV Golf.
Critics say LIV Golf is simply “sportwashing” Saudi Arabia’s brutal human rights record.
In addition to his role at LIV Golf, Al-Rumayyan is known to sports fans in several other capacities: the 52-year-old is chairman of Newcastle United and Saudi oil company Saudi Aramco, one of Formula 1’s biggest sponsors.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice is investigating allegations that the PGA is operating as a monopoly, which the Tour has denied.
His Excellency Yasir Al Rumayyan (C) talks to former US President Donald Trump (R) as Saudi Golf Federation CEO Majed Al Sorour (L) watches the pro-am ahead of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster at Trump National Bedminster Golf Club on July 28, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey